Backes "a true leader" came in no longer a factor in the new NHL...with Foligno he comes in "a true leader" with grit and surprisingly able to keep up with the new NHL.
I think Foligno will fit in perfectly.
This couldn’t be further from the facts.
Backes was coming off a 21 goal 24 assist season in 75 games when he signed with the bruins at age 32. While yes, he sort of started declining from his normal numbers he was still playing at a high level before coming here.
Foligno is coming in his age 34 season and last year has 7 goals and 13 assists in 49 games. Over the last four years among players with at least 500 power play minutes foligno ranks dead last in points with 14 and 2nd worst has 22.
in backes age 33 season (with the bruins) he posted a 2.3 points per 60 minutes. Foligno just posted a 1.4 points per 60 minutes in his age 33 season.
Foligno from age 26-29 was roughly a 2.2-2.3 point per 60 minute player and has dropped down to 1.6, 1.5 and most recently 1.4 points per 60 minutes. So his production has dropped roughly 35%-40% the last three years from his prime from a points per 60 minutes perspective.
Backes was actually out performing foligno in their age 33 seasons. Both players declines are actually statistically very similar. Folignos started a little earlier, backes biggest drop off was his age 34 season, which foligno is headed into this year.
